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Welcome to band 5 racing: Mark tells how tough it will be for Argyle from bad draw

“Very hard race, tough draw. Welcome to band 5 racing.”

Trainer Mark Dux didn’t mince his words when describing the task ahead of Argyle, stepping up a grade in the opening race at Albion Park on Saturday night.

Just seven days after his well deserved win, after enjoying a perfect trail, Argyle lands in a much harder race from one of the worst draws.

“It’s the strongest race he’ll get in for a while, he won’t get any harder,” Dux said.

“Nothing stands out and says it will just win. There are a bunch of chances across the board and even a couple who are dropping back from band 4 racing (Pacifico Dream and Red Right Hand, who haven’t won in their last 10 starts).

“Obviously it’s going to be really tough for him from three on the second row. It’s one of the worst alleys but it’s better than seven, at least he might get in front of a couple.”

Dux said driver Mathew Neilson would have no option than to pop in behind them, play it be ear and hope for some luck.

“There are a lot of unknowns with good gate speed across the front line. The harder they go the better for us.”

Chances are the tempo will be swift with Argyle’s winning driver from last week, Angus Garrard, staying with Bangkok Deejay, a 1:51.5 mile rate winner two starts back, three seconds faster than Argyle. But Dux doesn’t think a 1:52 mile rate for the 1660 metres is beyond Argyle.

“With the right run he could be thereabouts at that speed but he could also come home in better than 55 and run only seventh or eighth.

“I’m sure he’ll race well though, he’s done well this week.”

Meanwhile, Dux reported stablemate Captain Nemo has started fast work again and could be back racing in three weeks.

“He’ll go a bit quicker next week and he won’t take much to come to hand, he had only a week off.”

Argyle races at 8.39pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.Argyle races at 8.39pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.

Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them

Nathan Delany

Nathan’s comments

Tuesday twilight at Manawatu

Race 4: Leo Lincoln
5.44pm

“Fergie’s drive on Sunday was perfect, you couldn’t ask for better, and he said the horse was doing his best work in the last 50 metres. Maybe with another 100 metres he might have got there. His gate speed is only OK so I can see him getting crossed here.”

Race 5: Kevin Kline
6.19pm

“Fergie said he did it easily on the first day, and the horse only did what he had to. He’s been racing much nicer horses at Auckland so it was good to get the win, hopefully it will boost his confidence. I’ll leave the tactics up to Fergie but I imagine he’ll probably do the same thing again, loop the field and outstay them.”

Race 6: Onyx Shard
6.54pm

“I was hoping she’d drop down a grade. She’s had some tough trips recently, having to do a lot of work, and it didn’t help being three wide for the last lap on the first day. Also they only walked and sprinted home. She could be better coming with one run at them.”

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday night at Cambridge

Race 2: Lincoln Lover
5.33pm

“He had no chance last start when trapped three wide all the way. That won’t happen this time from the inside draw so that gives him a chance to get some of it.”

Race 2: Prince Lincoln
5.33pm

“He’s shown no gate speed so the wide draw doesn’t matter. He’s coming along all right but will need lots of luck against the hot pots.”

Race 5: Debbie Lincoln
6.54pm

“She seems to have overcome her tying-up issue, her bloods are good, and she’s training well again. She could possibly be underdone and the seven draw makes it very hard.”

Race 6: Lincoln Lou
7.20pm

Scratched. Sold to Western Australia.

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Sunday at Manawatu

Race 1: What’s Up The Hill
3.16pm

“He’s a work in progress. He just needs more practice - you don’t learn much at the trials with only two or three horses. If he trots the whole way, he should be in the money.”

Race 4: Onyx Shard
4.38pm

“We drove her more quietly last time and she finished very well. She got sucked along and did nothing, finishing with plenty of gas in the tank. Ideally she’ll be driven like that again.”

Race 6: Leo Lincoln
5.33pm

“He had his legs taken right out from under him on the first turn last time. He’s racing very well and should be in the money again for sure.”

Race 6: Kevin Kline
5.33pm

“We’ve scratched him. He has an abscess in a foot and is quite tender on it.”

Dan Costello Race Photography